Zirconium carbide doped with tantalum silicide: Microstructure, mechanical properties and high temperature oxidation

A zirconium carbide ceramic was hot pressed to full density thanks to the addition of TaSi2, which enabled the densification to occur at 1970 K and improved the mechanical properties as compared to monolithic ZrC. The microstructure was analysed by combined X-ray diffraction, scanning and transmission electron microscopy to investigate the effective role of the sintering additive. In addition, high temperature oxidation was performed using the reactor REHPTS (Réacteur Hautes Pression et Température Solaire) from 1800 to 2200 K for 20 min and this composite demonstrated to resist towards the highly oxidative conditions better than other carbides, thanks to the chemical modification of the oxide formed upon Ta addition. However from 2000 K, the specimen resulted very damaged.